Bally’s reaffirms Chicago opening date and secures financing for Bronx development

Chairman Soo Kim says about 1,000 tradespeople are still on the Chicago site.

US.- Bally’s Corporation has said its permanent Chicago casino remains on track for an early 2027 opening. It’s also announced $560m of new financing for development of Bally’s Bronx.

On a short conference call yesterday, Bally’s chairman Soo Kim and Wanda Wilson, chair of the Bally’s Chicago board, addressed what Kim called “inaccurate reports” that construction in Chicago had stopped after the company began reviewing the non-gaming component following the Chicago City Council‘s legalisation of VGTs.

Kim said: “Construction continues every day, and there are approximately 1,000 skilled tradespeople working on the construction of the permanent Bally’s Chicago resort.”

Kim said the company had changed how it is “sequencing certain elements of the development” and that Bally’s was “over-delivering” on its commitments to the city. He said the revised timeline was intended to align with the company’s Host Community Agreement.

Kim said: “Investors should view our actions through a straightforward lens: We are protecting the value of significant investments we’re making in Chicago while faithfully executing our contractual obligations. And let me say this again — we remain fully committed to Chicago.”

Bally’s won Chicago’s sole casino licence in 2022 and operates a temporary casino at Medinah Temple. The permanent River West project has already received multiple extensions, including language in Illinois’ omnibus revenue bill passed in June. The company said it would soon arrange construction-site tours for investors and shareholders.

Bally’s Bronx financing

Meanwhile, Bally’s says it has secured new financing for Bally’s Bronx led by WhiteHawk Capital Partners comprising $400m of closing-date term loan commitments and $160m of delayed-draw term loan commitments. Proceeds will fund pre-construction costs, with a portion available for general corporate purposes. The financing is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

Kim said: “This important financing allows us to progress the pre-construction planning process so that we are ready to complete the remainder of the capital raise and remain on schedule. Furthermore, the additional liquidity provides us greater flexibility for other capital opportunities.”

Bob Louzan, managing partner at WhiteHawk Capital Partners, said: “This financing reflects our ability to structure flexible capital solutions for complex transactions and will support the project’s pre-construction work as Bally’s advances its broader financing plan.”

Bally’s Bronx is a $4bn integrated resort. Bally’s was one of three downstate New York licence winners in 2025, alongside Resorts World New York City and Hard Rock’s Metropolitan Park. Company application materials said construction would begin eight to nine months after the licence was secured. The project is planned for a single-phase opening in 2030 if timelines hold.